Hiking along 4km of western part of Seoul Fortress wall on Inwangsan Mt, with stunning view of Seoul. Located in the middle of downtown Seoul and just next to Gyeongbokgung palace.
Inwangsan Mt (338.2 meters) is an attractive hiking destination where you can enjoy view of central Seoul like a picture and relax in a pretty cafe or experience of traditional market after hiking. Without a high altitude, Inwangsan Mountain is the best mountain to enjoy leisurely hiking.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Gwanghwamun square
- Gwanghwamun square is located in front of Gyeongbokgung palace. It is center of Seoul. Meeting place is infront of King Sejong statue.
09:30~10:00: Moving to Donuimun museum village
10:00~10:30: Moving to entrance path of Inwangsan Mt.
10:30~11:00: Hiking to peak of Inwangsan Mt.
11:00~11:30: Forest Rest House
Bananas are served as snacks. Lunch is not included.
11:30~12:00: Hiking to Changuimun gate – destination of hiking
12:00~12:30: Moving to Tongin market or café street in Seochon neighborhood
12:30: Tour ends at Seochon neighborhood
Ending Point
Seochon Neighborhood
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
1. Guide fee
2. Bannanas : one per person
1. public transportation
2. food
3. drink
4. entrance fee
Hiking along uninterruptedly unfolding 4km of western part of Seoul fortress wall on Inwangsan Mt, with enjoying a panoramic view of Seoul.
It is located in the middle of downtown Seoul and just next to Gyeongbokgung palace, and an attractive hiking destination where you can enjoy view of central Seoul like a picture and relax in a pretty cafe or experience of traditional market after hiking. Without a high altitude, Inwangsan Mountain is the best mountain to enjoy leisurely hiking.
Inwangsan Mountain is a mountain that stretches Jongno-gu and Seodaemun-gu in Seoul, with a total area of 1.09 square kilometers. Inwangsan Mountain is made of granite at an altitude of 338.2 m. Inwangsan Mountain is a gentle incline, so even beginners can climb the top without difficulty.
Literally, Inwang means the god of the gatekeeper who protects both the stupa or the gate of the Buddhist temple and is the god of the gatekeeper who protects the laws of the Buddha.
Inwang mountain is a guardian mountain deity in Feng Shi theory: Inwang mountain was meant to protect the Joseon Dynasty. Inwang mountain located in west of Gyeongbokgung palace symbolize white tiger according to Feng Shi theory:
During Joseon Dynasty, Seoul became the capital city for the first time in Korean history. the territory of Hanyang/Seoul was only 17 square kilometers (16.7 km2). It is only 2.8% of current territory size of Seoul.
Seoul was chosen as capital of Joseon, because it is best location by Fengshui theory.
Territory of Seoul was determined by Fengshui theory as well. The territory of Seoul has been determined to be the inside of four mountains, that consist of Bukak mountain in north symbolizing of black tortoise, Naksan mountain in east symbolizing of blue dragon, Inwang mountain in west of Gyeongbokgung palace symbolizing of white tiger and Namsan mountain in south symbolizing of red vermilion bird. Fortress walls of Seoul were constructed along the lines connected 4 mountains to each other.
My primary tourist destination is Seoul and metropolitan area, consisting of 5 palaces, Royal Ancestral Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village, National Museum of Korea, War Memorial of Korea and other museums & galleries and contemporary architectures, and Namsan Mt. with N-Seoul Tower, traditional & trendy market places such as Gwangjang market & Hondae street, and also Korean Folk Village & DMZ tour.
Hello everyone, I am Paul, a state-licensed English tour guide in Seoul. I am professional tour docent with proven record track of over 200 tours for international tourists.
Seoul is a fascinating destination that seamlessly blends the traditional with the modern.
My tour is to explore Korea’s unique cultural identity and beauty!
Center of tour is architecture. Architectural style represents spirit of times. We can see as much as we know. For example, without knowledge about Christianity, the spirit of medieval Europe, we cannot fully appreciate beauty and value of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, but are just fascinated by its superficial beauty.
Confucianism is the spirit of Joseon Dynasty. Confucianism is Korea's cultural identity, that is basis for Korean traditional architecture.
Based on understanding of Confucianism, your appreciation will create intense impression and long-lasting memory of your tour in Korea. I am the only tour docent-guide in Korea who introduces Korean traditional culture based on Confucianism.
My primary tourist destinations are focusing on Seoul and metropolitan area, consisting of 5 palaces, Royal Ancestral Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village, National museum of Korea, War Memorial of Korea, other museums & galleries and contemporary architectures, and Namsan Mt. with N-Seoul Tower, traditional & trendy market places such as Gwangjang market & Hongdae street, and COEX-Starfield library & Bongeunsa Buddhist temple & Sunjeongneung Royal Tomb in Gangnam area, and also Korean Folk Village & DMZ tour in neighboring cities.
Alongside, I am specialist for hiking to Bukhansan Mt. and Inwangsan Mt. that are located in downtown Seoul, where you can enjoy beautiful natural sceneries and stunning view of Seoul.
With my hands-on experiences and deep knowledge of Korea's culture & history, you can discover true discoveries in Korea.
Thank you for your interest!
As your guide, I hope to see you soon in Seoul!
Albertus S.
“Full day tour with Paul”
Paul is very knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture of his country and he gave us a profound introduction of Confucianism.
Paul K.
Appreciation of traditional architecture, works of art and crafts require background knowledge. Based on the background knowledge of Korean traditional culture, your appreciation can create an intense impression and long-lasting memory of tour. I introduced core ideas of Confucianism and the Confucian principles that are the basis of Gyeongbokgung architecture. I am only tour docent in Korea who introduce Korean history and culture based on Confucianism.
Josh W.
“Paul was an outstanding guide!”
When Paul started put with a lesson in Confucianism and the history of Korea, my wife and I didn't quite know what to think. When we got to the first palace, everything came together and made great sense. Our day with Paul was educational (a tenant of Confucianism), fun, and delicious. It was a great way to start our journey.
Paul K.
The center of culture and center of tour is architecture. Architectural style represents spirit of times. Confucianism was the spirit of Joseon Dynasty. Confucianism culture of Joseon Dynasty is unique characteristic of Korean culture, compared to Chinese, Japanese and European culture. Tourist information is based on Confucianism for your full appreciating of entire Korean architecture and cultural places.
Sandra M.
“2 day Tour of Korean culture Highlights”
My husband and i had a short visit to Korea at the end of a cruise and booked Paul to show us the highlights of the city in 2 days. Paul was very knowledgeable about the Korean culture and history with regard to confucius culture. This information gave us a better understanding of the sights that we visited. Paul was very punctual and got us around the city with confidence. We visited two places, the secret gardens, two museums, Seoul Tower and experienced tradition Korean street food as well as a restaurant. Our tour was busy and we did a lot of walking as well as using the train system, which is amazing, and we also used the bus. Overall we got a great taste of Seoul in a short time. There is so much more to see and do, perhaps on our next visit. Thank you Paul
Paul K.
Guest's good review is great rewarding to my dedication to tour and my study. Appreciation of architecture, art and craft requires background knowledge. We can see as much as we know about background knowledget. Confucianism is Korea's culturual identity. Korean traditional culture as well as Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces represent Confucianism. I appreciate Sandra's full appreciation of Korean traditional culture. Paul
$150/ per group